All you need to know about Fernando Valenzuela
Olivia Shea
Updated on January 01, 2026
Fernando Valenzuela, a Mexican former professional baseball player, has a net worth of $6 million. Fernando Valenzuela began his professional baseball career in 1977, pitching for many teams in the Mexican Central League. However, he was best recognized for being picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers and going on to pitch one of the most successful rookie seasons in history.
Who is Fernando Valenzuela?
Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in the little village of Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico. Although his birth date was recorded as 1960, others questioned if this was correct. He was one of Avelino and Maria’s 12 children, and they were poor farmers who worked the land with their children.
He grew up playing baseball and was first scouted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1979. Valenzuela’s path to the major leagues was not simple; he played for many Mexican teams before signing with the Dodgers in 1980.
How old is Fernando Valenzuela?
He is currently 63 years old.
What is Fernando Valenzuela’s net worth?
He is estimated to be worth $6 Million.
What is Fernando Valenzuela’s career?
Valenzuela made his MLB debut in 1980, and he soon established himself by winning his first eight games and helping the Dodgers win the World Series. He became the first player to win both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards, as well as the first rookie to lead the league in strikeouts. He continued to dominate the mound for several years. Valenzuela was noted for his unconventional delivery and destructive screwball, which confused hitters across the league.
Valenzuela played for six clubs during his 17-year professional career (the Los Angeles Dodgers, the California Angels, the Baltimore Orioles, the Philadelphia Phillies, the San Diego Padres, and the St. Louis Cardinals), although his stint with the Dodgers is most remembered.
During his stint with the team, he won a Cy Young Award, and a Gold Glove Award, and was chosen for six All-Star games. He also helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 1981.
His play eventually became erratic, and he attempted several comebacks before retiring from Major League Baseball permanently in 1997. He has since played briefly in the Mexican League, although his main focus is on Spanish-language sports broadcasting and coaching.
Valenzuela’s MLB career ended with a 173-153 record, 3.54 ERA, and 2,074 strikeouts. He is also a member of Mexico’s Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.
Fernando Valenzuela got the most lucrative contract for a pitcher in league history in 1987, a three-year, $5.5 million agreement with the Dodgers. His annual salaries of $1.83 million and $2.05 million in 1988 both set records for pitchers. Valenzuela’s salary alone was around $17.3 million throughout his 17-year career.